School Superintendent Peter Nero said tonight that Pesante came to the school looking for a student and when told to leave verbally threatened school principal Chris Sandford.

"We have a zero tolerance policy. This will not be tolerated," Nero said.

According to state statute, a person is guilty of first-degree breach of the peace "when, with intent to cause inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, such person places a nonfunctional imitation of an explosive or incendiary device or an imitation of a hazardous substance in a public place or in a place or manner likely to be discovered by another person." The charge is a class D felony.

Nero said there was no explosive or hazardous device involved in the incident.

North Stonington Resident Trooper David Abely, the arresting officer, was not available for comment. Pesante was held in lieu of a $7,500 bond and due to appear Tuesday in New London Superior Court.